Near Altoona in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Horseshoe Curve

National Historic Engineering Landmark

By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009

1. Horseshoe Curve NHCEL Marker

Inscription.

Designed and built under the direction [of] Pennsylvania Railroad chief engineer and, later, company president, J. Edgar Thomson. Horseshoe Curve opened February 15, 1854. It was 366 meters across and 1310 meters long with a 1.8 percent grade. Eliminating the Portage Railroad's 10 incline planes greatly encouraged east-west trade crossing the Allegheny Mountains.

Location. 40° 29.858′ N, 78° 29.068′ W. Marker is near Altoona, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is on Veterans Memorial Highway / Burgoon Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashville PA 16613, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Horseshoe Curve (a few steps from this marker); The GP9 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trackside Buildings (about 400 feet away); Over the Hill

Replaced iconic PRR K-4 steam engine that had been on display for decades

By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 14, 1996

6. Funicular Car at Horseshoe Curve

Riding the funicular up to trackside at Horseshoe Curve.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 11, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on October 1, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.